Two brothers booked for illegal structures

A week after the Shindewadi mishap, the Rajgad police yesterday registered a case against two directors of a private firm for allegedly constructing unauthorised structures along the hills around the Katraj Tunnel.

Police said the illegal constructions had obstructed the natural flow of water that led to the Thursday tragedy wherein a woman and her 14-month-old daughter were swept away due to the gushing rainwater. The case has been registered under Section 52 and 53 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act (MRTP), 1966.

The two directors of Saffron Developers, who have been booked under this act, have been identified as Kisan Dhavji Rathod and his brother Pandit Rathod.

Illegal structures located on the Pune-Bangalore Highway were also pulled down. Pics/Krunal Gosavi

Ram Choubhey, tehsildar of Bhor, lodged the complaint in this regard. “In the complaint, it has been stated that the Rathods had built illegal constructions along the hills around the Katraj Tunnel and also obstructed the natural flow of water by landfills,” said Additional Superintendent of Police, Ravindra Pardeshi.

He said that the district administration had served the accused a notice in February 2013, and asked them to demolish the construction. They were given a deadline till February 28. They, however, approached the courts a got a stay order. “Despite the stay by the court, Rathod continued illegal constructions in the area,” said Pardeshi.

Choubhey, in his complaint also stated that in 2011, the district administration had imposed a fine of Rs 70 lakh on both the brothers for illegal constructions and damaging nature. Pardeshi also said that in 201, a case of theft was registered against the Rathods for allegedly stealing ‘murum’ from the hillocks.

When asked why a case under Section 304 (death caused by negligence) was not slapped on the duo, Pardeshi said that the case of accidental deaths has been registered with Rajgad police station and the concerned police station is investigating the case. Only at end of the inquiry, the charges would be decided, he said.